Cooperative rice farmers in Adelakope-Somenya, a rice farming community in the Eastern Region, are facing challenges, from controlling weeds and pests to navigating market dynamics.
As a result, the cooperative members are calling on stakeholders to explore potential solutions to boost local production and reduce reliance on imported rice.
A day’s working visit to the community by the Environment, Science, and Technology Committee of Parliament and the Climate Change Caucus revealed on Sunday.
The goal of the working visit was for the Committee members to assessed alleged methane activities in the rice production and also highlighted the efforts of Ghana’s rice farmers and government agencies towards addressing climate change while promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
Among some potential solutions being considered by the farmers included partnering with investors to support farming activities, improving access to machinery and technology to reduce losses and increase efficiency, and advocating for government support to boost local rice production.
“If the government can put in much money or put in machines that will make farming easier, it will help us to increase yield and quality, and we will be capable of supplying our country,” said Mr Mathias Kwetey, a rice farmer and also a harvester operator.
On his part, Daniel Affum Teye, Chief of Adelakope, explained that the benefits of investing in local rice production were clear: by increasing yield and quality, Ghana could reduce its reliance on imported rice and create a more sustainable food system.
“We need to support our local rice farmers so that we can produce enough rice for our country. This will help us to save foreign exchange and create employment opportunities for our youth,” he said.
According to Dr Kwabena Asuobonteng, a lecturer at the University of Development Studies, Nyankpala, and a landscape ecologist, “Methane has a significant global warming potential, 28 times than that of carbon dioxide.
He said, “When Ghana makes gains in methane reduction, that will indicate that the country is making significant contributions to the reduction of global warming.”
He said a project led by the Environmental Protection Authority and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture was aimed to help 11,000 farmers produce rice with lower methane emissions while increasing yields and generating carbon credits.
“The project, which has been ongoing for about 1-2 years, has already engaged 8,000 farmers, with 500 nearing carbon benefits.
“Any impact we make on methane leads to a faster reduction of global warming. We must continue to support initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture practices and reduce methane emissions,” he said.
Mr Dickson Kyere-Duah, a member of the Committee and a National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Berekum West, said the call for support was clear; with the right investments and policies in place, Ghana’s rice farmers could thrive and contribute to a more food-secure future for the country.
“We need to produce rice in a modern technological manner that incorporates methane reduction and mitigation measures. This will not only ensure food security, but also protect our environment.”
Mr Kyere-Duah called for the promotion of environmentally friendly farming practices, including improved water management techniques that reduced methane production.
“By adopting these practices, farmers can contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural sector,” he said.